Seoul: A Seoul court has dismissed an injunction request filed by Kim Moon-soo, who is the presidential candidate for the conservative People Power Party (PPP). Kim’s request was aimed at seeking recognition for his candidacy status amid internal disputes within the party.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Southern District Court dismissed Kim’s petition that sought to compel the PPP to acknowledge him as its official presidential candidate. The decision comes amidst internal party disagreements over a possible merger of Kim’s campaign with that of former Acting President Han Duck-soo. The court concluded that there was no “practical benefit in seeking a ruling on the injunction” as the party did not entirely refute Kim’s eligibility.
Additionally, the court dismissed a separate petition from Kim’s supporters intended to halt the National Committee and National Convention scheduled for the weekend. Kim had criticized these events as attempts to replace him within the party.
The court’s ruling allows the PPP the legal flexibility to potentially grant its presidential candidacy status to Han Duck-soo. Despite winning the PPP primary last week, Kim has been under pressure from party leadership to merge his campaign with Han, an independent candidate who has shown stronger polling numbers against Lee Jae-myung, the front-runner from the liberal Democratic Party.
Kim Moon-soo remains determined to pursue all necessary legal avenues to retain his status and register his candidacy by the upcoming Sunday deadline.